Reconstruction of the 1632 rainstorm and flooding event in North China

doi:10.12006/j.issn.1673-1719.2023.219

Abstract

Abstract:

Based on the historical documents the 1632 North China rain and flood event was reconstructed with the rainfall, water distribution and disaster. The spatial and temporal extent of the heavy rainfall event in Henan province in August 1632 was identified and compared with the extreme precipitation event in Henan province in 2021, which is supported by instrumental records. The large-scale precipitation in North China in 1632 began on July 17th. From June 18th to November 11th, there were records of prolonged rainfall in different areas of the entire North China region. This prolonged precipitation, along with several instances of heavy rainfall, resulted in severe flooding in the Huanghuai region. The flooding was so severe that it caused the Yellow River to overflow and collapse, leading to significant socio-economic impacts. Through analyses of the precipitation and flooding process, local precipitation and water brought by external sources were differentiated. In 1632, the eastern monsoon region of China experienced a drought-flood pattern, with partial flooding in southern and northern China and partial drought in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. A comparison between the torrential rainfall and flooding in North China in 1632 and the extreme precipitation event in Henan in July 2021 revealed several similarities. Both events saw heavy precipitation concentrated along the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains and the east side of the Funiu Mountains, influenced by topography. In 2021, the center of heavy precipitation was further north. The extreme precipitation in Henan in 2021 was linked to Typhoon “Fireworks”, with similar typhoon activity recorded in Jiangsu and Zhejiang before and after the 1632 event. Both years were affected by pre-La Niña events, leading to flooding in North China. Moving forward, it is crucial to focus on La Niña and typhoon events, enhance heavy rainfall forecasting and disaster warning capabilities, and prioritize urban flood prevention to prevent events like the “7·20” Zhengzhou urban flooding. These findings can inform future flood control strategies.

Key words: Heavy rainfall and flooding, North China, “21·7” Henan rainstorm, Historical period, Typhoon rainstorms

LIU Wei, YANG Yu-Da, ZHANG Sen. Reconstruction of the 1632 rainstorm and flooding event in North China[J]. Climate Change Research, 2024, 20(2): 146-157.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig. 1 Map of the study area

Table 1 Rainfall and flood assessment standards

Table 2 Precipitation duration records in North China

Fig. 2 Temporal and spatial dynamic distribution of precipitation in North China in 1632

Fig. 3 Distribution of floods in North China in 1632

Fig. 4 Distribution of main and passenger water in the floods in North China in 1632

Fig. 5 Pattern of drought and flood in the eastern China monsoon region in 1632 [24]

Fig. 6 Comparison of extreme precipitation events in Henan province between July 2021 (a) and August 1632 (b)

Table 3 Double typhoons affecting heavy rainfall in Henan in 2021 and 1632

Fig. 7 Comparison of Niño index

References 39

[1]	陶诗言, 丁一汇, 周晓平. 暴雨和强对流天气的研究[J]. 大气科学, 1979, 3 (3): 227-238.
	Tao S Y, Ding Y H, Zhou X P. The present status of the research on rainstorm and severe convective weathers in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 1979, 3 (3): 227-238 (in Chinese)
[2]	丁一汇. 中国暴雨理论的发展历程与重要进展[J]. 暴雨灾害, 2019, 38 (5): 395-406.
	Ding Y H. The major advances and development process of the theory of heavy rainfalls in China[J]. Torrential Rain and Disasters, 2019, 38 (5): 395-406 (in Chinese)
[3]	秦大河. 中国极端天气气候事件和灾害风险管理与适应国家评估报告[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2015.
	Qing D H. China national assessment report on risk management and adaptation of climate extremes and disasters[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2015 (in Chinese)
[4]	丁一汇. 论河南“75·8”特大暴雨的研究: 回顾与评述[J]. 气象学报, 2015, 73 (3): 411-424.
	Ding Y H. On the study of the unprecedented heavy rainfall in Henan province during 4-8 August 1975: review and assessment[J]. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 2015, 73 (3): 411-424 (in Chinese)
[5]	汪耀奉. 1860年长江稀遇洪水及其暴雨前期的气候异常[J]. 地理科学, 1982, 2 (4): 368-374.
	Wang Y F. The very unexpected flood of the Yangtze River in 1860 and the abnormal climatic phenomena before rainstorm[J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 1982, 2 (4): 368-374 (in Chinese) doi: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.1982.04.368
[6]	张家诚. 1823年(清道光三年)我国特大水灾及影响[J]. 应用气象学报, 1993, 4 (3): 379-384.
	Zhang J C. A preliminary investigation of the floods in 1823 and their socioeconomic impacts in China[J]. Journal of Applied Meteorological Science, 1993, 4 (3): 379-384 (in Chinese)
[7]	赵会霞, 郑景云, 葛全胜.1755、 1849年苏皖地区重大洪涝事件复原分析[J]. 气象科学, 2004, 24 (4): 460-467.
	Zhao H X, Zheng J Y, Ge Q S. The reconstruction of 1755 and 1849 severe flood events in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces[J]. Journal of the Meteorological Sciences, 2004, 24 (4): 460-467 (in Chinese)
[8]	张德二, 陆龙骅. 历史极端雨涝事件研究: 1823年我国东部大范围雨涝[J]. 第四纪研究, 2011, 31 (1): 29-35.
	Zhang D E, Lu L H. Study of the large extent flooding over eastern China in 1823 as one of the extreme climatic events in history[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2011, 31 (1): 29-35 (in Chinese)
[9]	张德二. 1755年中国东部极端雨涝事件研究[J]. 气候变化研究进展, 2012, 8 (1): 1-7.
	Zhang D E. Study of the large scale flooding over eastern China in 1755: an extreme climatic event in history[J]. Climate Change Research, 2012, 8 (1): 1-7 (in Chinese)
[10]	张德二, 梁有叶. 1730年夏季黄淮地区暴雨极端事件研究[J]. 气候变化研究进展, 2016, 12 (5): 407-412.
	Zhang D E, Liang Y Y. Study of the heavy torrential rain over the Huang-Huai region in eastern China in 1730: an extreme climatic events in history[J]. Climate Change Research, 2016, 12 (5): 407-412 (in Chinese)
[11]	Yang Y D, Xu Z R, Zhen W W, et al. Rain belt and flood peak: a study of the extreme precipitation event in the Yangtze River basin in 1849[J]. Water, 2021, 13 (19): 2677 doi: 10.3390/w13192677 URL
[12]	李卓仑, 董春雨, 杨煜达, 等. 1869年长江中下游地区水灾时空分布及天气特征[J]. 长江流域资源与环境, 2010, 19 (S1): 166-171.
	Li Z L, Dong C Y, Yang Y D, et al. Characteristics of spatial and temporal flood distribution in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in 1869[J]. Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin, 2010, 19 (S1): 166-171 (in Chinese)
[13]	张健, 满志敏, 张俊辉. 1819年黄河中游极端降水: 史实、特征及气候背景[J]. 古地理学报, 2011, 13 (6): 687-698.
	Zhang J, Man Z M, Zhang J H. Extreme precipitation in the middle reaches of Yellow River in 1819: historical facts, characteristics and climate background[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2011, 13 (6): 687-698 (in Chinese)
[14]	马亚玲, 万金红, 叶瑜, 等. 1917年海河流域洪涝灾害过程重建[J]. 古地理学报, 2015, 17 (6): 851-860.
	Ma Y L, Wan J H, Ye Y, et al. Reconstruction of flood disaster process in Haihe River drainage area in 1917[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2015, 17 (6): 851-860 (in Chinese)
[15]	张德二. 中国历史极端气候事件复原研究[M]. 北京: 商务印书馆, 2023.
	Zhang D E. Study on the recovery of historical extreme climate events in China[M]. Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2023 (in Chinese)
[16]	杨煜达, 韩健夫. 历史时期极端气候事件的甄别方法研究: 以西北千年旱灾序列为例[J]. 历史地理, 2014, 2 (2): 10-29.
	Yang Y D, Han J F. A study on the diagnosis method of extreme climate events in historical period: a case study of northwest drought Sequence over 1000 years[J]. Historical Geography, 2014, 2 (2): 10-29 (in Chinese)
[17]	韩健夫, 杨煜达, 满志敏. 公元1000—2000年中国北方地区极端干旱事件序列重建与分析[J]. 古地理学报, 2019, 21 (4): 675-684.
	Han J F, Yang Y D, Man Z M. Reconstruction and analysis of extreme drought events in northern China from AD 1000 to 2000[J]. Journal of Paleogeography, 2019, 21 (4): 675-684 (in Chinese)
[18]	刘威, 杨煜达. 过去600年中国西南地区极端旱涝事件的重建与分析[J]. 第四纪研究, 2021, 41 (2): 368-378.
	Liu W, Yang Y D. Reconstruction and analysis of extreme drought and flood events in Southwest China in the past 600 years[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2021, 41 (2): 368-378 (in Chinese)
[19]	张德二. 中国三千年气象记录总集[M]. 南京: 江苏教育出版社, 2013.
	Zhang D E. A Compendium of Chinese meteorological records of the last 3000 years[M]. Nanjing: Jiangsu Education Press, 2013 (in Chinese)
[20]	“中央研究院历史语言研究所”校印. 明实录附录·崇祯长编[M]. 上海: 上海书店出版社, 1967.
	“The Institute of Historical and Linguistic Research. Academia Sinica”. Ming shi appendix· Chongzhen long compilation[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Bookstore Publishing House, 1967 (in Chinese)
[21]	王铎. 拟山园选集[M]. 中国台北: 台湾学生书局, 1979.
	Wang D. Selected works of Nishanyuan[M]. Chinese Taipei: Taiwan Student’s Bookstore, 1979 (in Chinese)
[22]	谭其骧. 中国历史地图集(第7册)元·明时期[M]. 北京: 中国地图出版社, 1982.
	Tan Q X. Historical atlas of China (Volume 7) Yuan·Ming period[M]. Beijing: China Map Press, 1982 (in Chinese)
[23]	中央气象局气象科学研究院主编. 中国近五百年旱涝分布图集[M]. 北京: 地图出版社, 1981.
	Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, China Meteorological Administration. Yearly charts of dryness/wetness in China for the last 500-year period[M]. Beijing: Sino Maps Press, 1981 (in Chinese)
[24]	杨煜达. 中国千年区域极端旱涝图集[M]. 北京: 中图出版社, 中华地图学社, 2024.
	Yang Y D. Atlas of extreme droughts and floods in China during the Past Millennium(1000-2020)[M]. Beijing: Zhongtu Publishing House, Chinese Cartographic Society, 2024 (in Chinese)
[25]	国务院灾害调查组. 河南郑州“7·20”特大暴雨灾害调查报告[R/OL]. 2022 [2022-01-01]. https://www.mem.gov.cn/gk/sgcc/tbzdsgdcbg/202201/P020220121639049697767.pdf.
	Disaster Investigation Group of the State Council. Investigation report on the “7·20” extraordinarily heavy rainstorm disaster in Zhengzhou, Henan[R/OL]. 2022 [2022-01-01]. https://www.mem.gov.cn/gk/sgcc/tbzdsgdcbg/202201/P020220121639049697767.pdf (in Chinese)
[26]	冉令坤, 李舒文, 周玉淑, 等. 2021年河南“7·20”极端暴雨动、热力和水汽特征观测分析[J]. 大气科学, 2021, 45 (6): 1366-1383.
	Ran L K, Li S W, Zhou Y S, et al. Observational analysis of the dynamic, thermal, and water vapor characteristics of the “7·20” extreme rainstorm event in Henan province, 2021[J]. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 2021, 45 (6): 1366-1383 (in Chinese)
[27]	汪小康, 崔春光, 王婧羽, 等. “21·7”河南特大暴雨水汽和急流特征诊断分析[J]. 气象, 2022, 48 (5): 533-544.
	Wang X K, Cui C G, Wang J Y, et al. Diagnostic analysis on water vapor and jet characteristics of the July 2021 severe torrential rain in Henan province[J]. Meteorology Monthly, 2022, 48 (5): 533-544 (in Chinese)
[28]	缪驰远, 韩静雅, 苟娇娇. 中国逐日降水数据集(1961—2022, 0.1˚/0.25 ˚/0.5˚)[R/OL]. 2023 [2023-10-07]. https://cstr.cn/18406.11.Atmos.tpdc.300523
	Miao C Y, Han J Y, Gou J J. A daily gridded precipitation dataset based on gauge observations across China’s mainland (1961-2022)[R/OL]. 2023 [2023-10-07]. https://cstr.cn/18406.11.Atmos.tpdc.300523 (in Chinese)
[29]	中国气象局. 2021年中国气候公报[R/OL]. 2022 [2022-03-01]. https://www.cma.gov.cn/zfxxgk/gknr/qxbg/202203/t20220308_4568477.html.
	China Meteorological Administration. China climate bulletin 2021[R/OL]. 2022 [2022-03-01]. https://www.cma.gov.cn/zfxxgk/gknr/qxbg/202203/t20220308_4568477.html (in Chinese)
[30]	王军, 吴迪, 王超杰, 等. “21·7”河南极端降水的远距离台风作用分析[J]. 气象与环境科学, 2022, 45 (2): 75-85.
	Wang J, Wu D, Wang C J, et al. Analysis on the influence of distance typhoon on the extreme precipitation in July 2021 in Henan[J]. Meteorological and Environmental Sciences, 2022, 45 (2): 75-85 (in Chinese)
[31]	高川, 陈茂楠, 周路, 等. 2020—2021年热带太平洋持续性双拉尼娜事件的演变[J]. 中国科学: 地球科学, 2022, 52 (12): 2353-2372.
	Gao C, Chen M N, Zhou L, et al. The 2020-2021 prolonged La Niña evolution in the tropical Pacific[J]. Science China: Earth Sciences, 2022, 55 (12): 2353-2372 (in Chinese)
[32]	Cook E R, Darrigo R D, Anchukaitis K J. ENSO reconstructions from long tree-ring chronologies: unifying the differences? talk presented at a special workshop on reconciling ENSO chronologies for the past 500 years[R]. French Moorea: Polynesia, 2008
[33]	Gergis J L, Fowler A M. A history of ENSO events since AD 1525: implications for future climate change[J]. Climatic Change, 2009, 92 (3-4): 343-387 doi: 10.1007/s10584-008-9476-z URL
[34]	金祖辉, 陶诗言. ENSO循环与中国东部地区夏季和冬季降水关系的研究[J]. 大气科学, 1999, 23 (6): 663-672.
	Jin Z H, Tao S Y. A study on the relationships between ENSO cycle and rainfalls during summer and winter in eastern China[J]. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 1999, 23 (6): 663-672 (in Chinese)
[35]	陈文. El Niño和La Niña事件对东亚冬、夏季风循环的影响[J]. 大气科学, 2002, 26 (5): 595-610.
	Chen W. Impacts of El Niño and La Niña on the cycle of the East Asian winter and summer monsoon[J]. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 2002, 26 (5): 595-610 (in Chinese)
[36]	丁一汇. 中国气候[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2013.
	Ding Y H. Climate of China[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2013 (in Chinese)
[37]	杨修群, 谢倩, 朱益民, 等. 华北降水年代际变化特征及相关的海气异常型[J]. 地球物理学报, 2005 (4): 789-797.
	Yang X Q, Xie Q, Zhu Y M, et al. Decadal to interdecadal variability of precipitation in North China and associated atmospheric and oceanic anomaly patterns[J]. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 2005 (4): 789-797 (in Chinese)
[38]	王艳姣, 周兵, 司东, 等. 2012年夏季我国降水异常及成因分析[J]. 气象, 2013, 39 (1): 118-122.
	Wang Y J, Zhou B, Si D, et al. Analysis of rainfall anomalies in China in summer 2012[J]. Meteorology Monthly, 2013, 39 (1): 118-122 (in Chinese)
[39]	赵琳, 孙林海, 竺夏英, 等. 2021年华北雨季气候特征及华北降水偏多成因初探[J]. 气象与环境科学, 2022, 45 (2): 20-26.
	Zhao L, Sun L H, Zhu X Y, et al. Climate characteristics of rainy season and causes for more precipitation in North China in 2021[J]. Meteorological and Environmental Sciences, 2022, 45 (2): 20-26 (in Chinese)